How to Work From Home

Remote work is here to stay, so having the best practices and knowing how to work from home will go a long way. Not working from home yet? You’ll want to come prepared with all reasons for your boss to say “Yes,” and assess how best you work. Working from home is a balancing act that takes practice. 

By Mariah Flores

It’s a hybrid working world and we’re just living it, so why not embrace it and maximize your full potential when working remotely. Whether you are looking for work or making the switch from the office to your home, knowing how to successfully work from home is always key. 

While the pandemic saw many people turning to work from home to lower risk of infection, many found success in being home, citing a sense of increased productivity and improved well-being. As offices reopen, employees feel some uncertainty, and in severe cases, anxiety surrounding the return-to-office, as reported by Katie Bishop at BBC. 

Some may ask, “Why return to in-person work when I’ve already found my working groove at home?” Gone are the days of getting up early, commuting long distances, paying for expensive childcare, or taking sick days. Working from home allows us more flexibility and room to do what we do best: work. 

“Remote work gives us an opportunity to innovate, rather than replicate,” says Laura Vanderkam, author of the book The New Corner Office, in an interview on Business Unusual. She has been working from home for the past 18 years and challenges us to rethink what a normal workday looks like. 

Experts affirm that remote work is here to stay and will increase into 2023, according to a recent Forbes article. As professionals, it’s our responsibility and right to dig into how employers and our fellow employees are navigating the increasingly remote work environment.

There are several different moving pieces to remote work, and every person’s approach is unique. Just because you like working remotely now does not mean you can’t enjoy aspects of past office days. 

As Tayo Rockson, president and CEO of UYD Management, told Andrew Seaman, LinkedIn senior news editor for job searches and careers, “It doesn’t have to be one way or another.”

Asking your boss to work from home

If you’re not in a remote position already but are interested in making the transition, your boss or manager should be your first point of contact. Discussions with your boss may seem intimidating, but with enough preparation and practice, you’ll get the hang of it in no time. 

If you’re struggling with any aspect of your job, take some time to reflect if working remotely is realistically the best option for you. Working from home is not for everyone and bosses are typically less likely to give low-performing employees any added perks. That said, some of us must work remotely, which is why understanding how to do so is crucial. We’ll get to that later. 

Now that we’ve established if remote work suits you, we need to dive into how to begin the “May I work from home?” conversation with your boss or manager.

Come prepared with a list of succinct reasons remote work will or has already benefited you, such as increased productivity, fewer sick days, quick project turnaround, or more time to focus on work-related tasks, as opposed to commuting or mingling with coworkers. Whatever your reasons for seeking remote work, make sure to highlight how it will benefit the entire company.

Nate Silvey, an account executive at Evenbound, who has been working from home since 2020, also suggests setting the discussion table by first mentioning why you enjoy working at your current company, your value to the team, past performance, while also bringing into consideration personal passions of yours and the need to have more time away from the office. 

“With the current talent market, it’s extremely hard for companies to retain top-performers right now because of the volume of positions that are open. So I think right now is a great time to ask that question [about remote work] … and leverage the need for people, who are qualified and have those skill sets,” he adds. 

Pushback is expected, so always be gracious and understanding. Offering up set expectations can help put your manager at ease. What days will you work remotely and why? How will you communicate while at home? Will meetings be accessible (virtual or in-person)? Is a hybrid schedule more fitting? Your boss is going to want to know that your day-to-day responsibilities will not suffer as you work remotely. You want to be strategic in your approach. 

Vanderkam suggests people assess what works best for them while working from home. Setting up good practices, whether it be investing in a few hours of child care or carving out open space for creative thinking, will lead to a smoother transition and continued quality performance. “What works for you on a day-to-day basis?” she asks. “Is there anything that’s a real pain point that you can get help with?” 

Best practices to succeed while working from remotely

The pandemic was the major catalyst for remote work, driving people from the office, into new frontiers, and revolutionizing the workplace. We’ve had to set up new boundaries between home and work. Now more than ever, knowing how to best work from home is essential. You have the potential to set yourself up for greater success in both your career and personal life. 

“Being an account executive, every day is in meetings, and there’s a tendency to stack your day with quite a few meetings because you want to close deals and talk to customers,” says Silvey.

Working remotely has allowed professionals, like Silvey, to pursue personal passions outside their job. 

“It has allowed me to close the laptop at five o’clock and pursue those passions, when I would probably be behind the wheel.”

He also provides some unique best practices when working from home: 

• Setting up “Do Not Disturb” on all work apps
• Limiting notifications and access for certain apps
• Separating your work and sleep space
• Trying not to live in your inbox
• Thoughtfully schedule meetings
• Press into personal pursuits that you have outside of work
• Time blocking your work day
• See your friends
• Get a pet

When his two dogs ring the bell to go outside for a walk, it’s a good reminder for Silvey to get up, go outside, and take a walk. He also stresses the importance of connecting in person, obviously not at the same volume as before, especially when you’re working in a new environment, town, or city.

Some other helpful tips for remote work: 

• Have the proper equipment
• Use a planner or calendar
• Create a quiet workspace
• Limit distractions
• Take breaks

Having the proper tools and knowing how to effectively work from home will make you a more well-rounded employee or job candidate. Additionally, knowing how to advocate for yourself and your needs goes a long way in any career — remote, hybrid, or in-person. 

(Editing by Onjeinika Brooks)